Idling needle with vacuum attachment



Nov. 11, 1958 R. D. WREN, JR 2,859,951

IDLING NEEDLE WITH VACUUM ATTACHMENT Filed July 2'7, 1956 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VIII ,Robert D. Wren, .Jr.

INVENTOR.

cal Wm F% Nov. 11, 1958 R. D. WREN, JR 5 IDLING NEEDLE WITH VACUUM ATTACHMENT Filed July 27. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 5

INVENTOR.

Robert 0. Wren, Jr.

United States Patent 7 2,859,951 IDLING NEEDLE wrrrr VACUUM ATTACHMENT Robert D. Wren, Jr., Compton, Calif. Application July 27, 1956, Serial No. 600,487

1 Claim. Cl. 261-41 This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in carburetors for internal combustion engines, and more specifically to an improved idling needle assembly.

In order that an internal combustion engine may run at an idling speed when not being used under a load, the carburetors thereof are provided with an idling valve assembly. This idling valve assembly controls the flow of fuel at an idling speed with the control of fuel being subject to the vacuum within the carburetor. When the internal combustion engine is mounted in an automobile or. other type of vehicle, and such vehicle is decelerating, the vacuum in the carburetor thereof is greatly increased at a time when it is desired not to admit any additional fuel. As a result, additional fuel is pulled through the idling valve assembly, such fuel not being required and wasted. Not only is the fuel wasted, but also there results in the production of undesirable gases. Further, raw gas is being deposited into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine which results in the dilution of the lubricants of the cylinder and the improper lubrication of the piston rings and the walls of the cylinders.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a vacuum controlled idling needle assembly which when mounted on a carburetor of an internal combustion engine used in an automotive vehicle will automatically move a needle valve member to a closed or semi-closed position when the vacuum of the internal combustion engine exceeds a certain preset'limit so thatduringthe wdeceleration period of the vehicle the idling fuel passages of the carburetor are temporarily closed to prevent the wasting of fuel.

Another object of this invention is to provide an idling .needle assembly for carburetors, the idling needle assembly being vacuum actuated for movement to a closed position during periods ofhigh vacuum of the internal combustion engine, the idling needle'assembly being of such a construction whereby it may be attached to existing carburetors in the usual idling needle valve opening thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide an idling needle valve assembly for carburetors which includes a resiliently mounted needle valve member, there being provided means for positioning the needle valve member in its usual position relative to a valve seat of the carburetor for adjustment purposes, and there being vacuum actuated means for moving the needle valve member towardsthe valve seat upon the existence of a high of a high vacuum within the carburetor or intake manifold of the internal combustion engine so as to close the idling fuel passages.

These together with other objects and advantages which 'will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,-reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a carburetor havthe same disconnected from the carburetor;

Patented Nov. 11, 1958 ing connected thereto an idling needle assembly WhiCh -iS the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken through the idling needle assembly of Figure 1 and shows Figure 3 is an end view of the needle valve assembly on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is an exploded horizontal sectional view of the needle valve assembly on an enlarged scale showing the details of various components thereof; t

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through a, portion of a modified form .of idling needle I assembly and shows the specific details thereof; Figure 6 is an end view on an enlarged scale of the idling needle assembly of FigurefS;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through a control switch for the idling needle valve as sembly of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of the control switch of Figure 7; and I Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a carburetor incorporating the idling needle assembly of Figures 5 and 6, the view being on a reduced scale and showing the wiring diagram for the idling needleas sembly.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will bev seen that there is illustrated a conventional carburetor 10 which is mounted on an intake manifold 12 of an internal combustion engine. Connected to the carburetor 10 in the usual idling needle valve opening thereof is. an idling needle assembly which is referred to in general by .the reference numeral 14. The idling needle assembly 14 includes a fitting 1'6 1 3V.- ing a reduced threaded end portion '13 and an enlarged threaded end portion 20. -Extending through the fitting 16 is a longitudinal bore 22. The reduced threadedend portion 18 is threaded into the usual needle valve opening of the carburetor 10 for the purpose of mounting the idling needle assembly 14. The idling needle assembly 14 also includes a generally cylindrical body member 24 having an end wall 26 anda cylindrical body portion 28. The-end wall is provided with an internally threaded opening 30 in there is threadedly received the enlarged threaded "end portion 2%: of the fitting 16. t The end of the body member 24 remote from=the end wail 26 is opened. Extending across the open end-of the body member 24 is adiaphragm 32. The-diaphragmgg is retained in place by an end plate 34 whichis. secured to the body portion 28 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 36. The end plate 34 base central opening 38. i The diaphragm 32 is normally positioned ;by means'o a spring member 40 which is disposed within the body member 24 and which bears against the diaphragmjSZ. The opposite end of the spring member 40 bears'against a washer 42 which is disposed in abutment with an-extreme end of the enlarged threadedend portion 20.

The body portion 23 is provided with an internally threaded bore 44 in which there is positioned a vacuum line fitting 46. Engaged over the vacuum line fitting will be a vacuum line 48, the vacuum'line 48 having its opposite end suitably attached to the interior of the intake manifold 12 whereby the vacuum therein may act on the diaphragm 32.

Secured to the side of the diaphragm 32 adjacent the end wall 26 is a spacer 50 and a washer 52. Secured to the opposite face of the diaphragm 32 is a nut member' 54. The spacer 50, the washer 52 and the nut memberfi' l are all connected to the diaphragm 32 by means of suitable fasteners 56. It is to be understood that the spring memher 40 engages the washer 52 to prevent wear on the diaphragm 32.

Passing through the opening 38 in the end plate 34 and threadedly engaged in the nut member 54 is a threaded portion 58 of aneedle valve member adjusting screw 60. The adjusting screw 60 has a knurled head 62 to facilitate rotation thereof. Secured to the opposite end of the adjusting screw 60 is a needle valve member 64 for cooperation with a needle valve seat (not shown) of the carburetor 10. The needle valve 64 is snugly received in the bore 22 for longitudinal sliding movement.

" The adjustment of the spring member 40 is accomplished by turning the body member 24 relative to the v mounting fitting 16. This moves the washers 42 and 52 relative to each other. Once the body member 24 has been properly positioned on the mounting fitting 16, the

adjusting screw 16 may be turned to position the idling needle valve member 64 relative to its associated valve seat.

During the normal operation of the internal combustion engine of which the carburetor is a part, the idling needle valve member 64 will remain stationary and function in the normal manner. However, when the vacuum within the carburetor 10 and the intake manifold 12 is increased, such as during periods of deceleration of the vehicle in which the internal combustion engine is mounted, the vacuum will cause movement of the dia- I phragm 32 to the left, as viewed in Figure 2, with the period of deceleration of the vehicle has discontinued and a vacuum in the intake manifold 12 has returned to normal, the spring will move the diaphragm 32 to the right and again position the needle valve member 64 relative to its valve seat for the proper idling for setting of the carburetor 10.

Referring now to Figures 5 through 9, inclusive, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of idling needle assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 70. The idling needle assembly 70 includes a fitting 72 which is provided with a threaded end portion 74 for engagement in the needle valve opening of the carburetor, such as the carburetor 76 illustrated in Figure 9. The fitting 72 is formed integral with an end wall 78 of an elongated cylindrical housing 80.

Disposed within the housing 8 adjacent the fitting 72 is a coil portion 82 of an electri-magnetic device. Disposed within the coil portion 82 is a tubular sleeve 84 which forms a guide for a movable core 86. The sleeve 84 and the coil portion 82 of the electro-magnetic device are retained in place by a partition wall 88.

The extreme end of the housing 80 is closed by an end plate 90. The end plate 90 and the partition walls 88 are preferably formed of an insulating material. Extending through thepartition wall 88 and the end wall 90 are terminals 92 and 94 for the coil portion 82, there being connected to the terminals 92 and 94 wires 96 and 98, respectively.

The fitting 72 is provided with a bore 100 therethrough in which there is guidingly received a needle valve member 102. The needle valve member 102 is connected to the core 86 and is positioned by the same.

Extending from the core 86 opposite from the needle valve member 102 is a rod 104 which is provided with an enlarged end 106. Disposed on the rod 104 is a coil spring 108 which bears against both the partition wall 88 and the enlarged end 106.

I The fitting 72 is threaded into its associated opening in the carburetor 96 a distance so as to properly position the needle valve 102 for the proper operation of the carburetor 76. A spring 108 normally retains the needle valve 102 in this position. However, when the coil portion 82 of the electro-magnetic device is energized, the core 86 Will be moved to the left, as viewed in Figure 5, in order to move the'needle valve member 102 to a closed position.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a control switch 110 for the electromagnetic device. The control switch 110 includes a housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 112. The housing 112 has a tubular body portion 114 with the lower end thereof closed by a bottom wall 116. The upper end of the body member 114 is provided with an outwardly projecting annular flange 118. Overlying the flange 118 is a similar flange 120 of a cap member 122. The flanges 118 and 120 are connected together by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 124. Disposed intermediate the flanges 118 and 120 and secured in place by the fasteners 124 is a diaphragm 126. Secured to the diaphragm 126 is a fitting 128. The fitting 128 is provided with an internally threaded bore 130 which is aligned with an opening 132 in the diaphragm 126. Threadedly engaged in the bore 130 is the lower end of a rod 134 Whose upper end is in the form of a head 136. The rod 134 extends through an opening 138 in the cap 122. Disposed on the upper part of the rod 134 and bearing against the head 136 and the cap 122 is a coil spring 140. The position of the rod 134 may be varied to vary the eifect of the coil spring 140 on the diaphragm 126.

Carried by the body portion 114 adjacent the bottom wall 116 is a pair of opposed contacts 142 and 144. The contacts 142 and 144 are carried by terminal bolts 146 and 148, respectively, which extend through grommets 150 in the body portion 114 so as to be insulated therefrom. Secured to the lower end of the fitting 128 is a contact bridging member 152.

In order that the switch 110 may operate, the bottom wall 116 is provided with a tubular vacuum line connector 153 which is intended to have connected thereto a vacuum line which leads to the intake manifold of a vehicle of which the carburetor 76 is a part.

Referring now to'Figure 9 in particular, it will be seen that the wire 98 is connected to one end of a battery 154 of the vehicle of which the carburetor 76 is a part. The wire 96 is connected to the terminal 146. A wire 156 extends from the terminal 148 to the opposite terminal of the battery 154.

By adjusting the tension of the coil spring 140, the amount of vacuum necessary to flex the diaphragm 126 may be varied. 'When the vehicle of which the carburetor 76 is a part decelerates and the vacuum within the intake manifold thereof increases, a vacuum will be produced in the lower part of the housing 112 beneath the diaphragm 126.. This excessive vacuum will result in the flexing of the diaphragm 126 downwardly so that the contact bridging member 152 will move downwardly into engagement with the contacts 142 and 144 and complete a circuit between the battery 154 and the electro-magnetic device so as to actuate the electromagnetic device and move the needle valve member 102 to a closed position. Thus the fuel which is normally drawn through the carburetor 76 during periods of high vacuum will no longer be lost.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention is claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination with a carburetor including a carburetor housing, the carburetor housing having an internally threaded bore opening through the exterior thereof, the bore normally receiving a fuel idling needle valve, an idling needle valve assembly, said idling needle valve assembly comprising a mounting fitting threadedly engaged in said opening, said mounting fitting having a bore therethrough, a needle valve member extending through said mounting fitting for relative sliding movement, a body member carried by said mounting fitting, an electromagnetic device mounted in said body member, said electromagnetic device including a movable core, said movable core being directly secured to said needle valve member and forming an enlarged central portion thereof, said needle valve member having one end in the form of a conical needle valve element and the other end in the form of a stop, a spring member carried by said body member engaging said needle valve member stop and urging said needle valve member to an open position, and a vacuum actuated control switch for said electromagnetic device, said vacuum actuated control switch including a sealed housing, a diaphragm mounted in said housing, spaced contacts carried by said housing, a contact bridging member for engaging said spaced contacts to complete an electrical circuit to said electromagnetic device, a spacer secured to said diaphragm and said contact bridging member mounting said contact bridging member on said diaphragm, said sealed housing having a vacuum line fitting for attachment to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and adjustable tension means carried by said sealed housing and connected to said diaphragm for controlling the vacuum required to move said diaphragm, said adjustable tension means including a headed fastener extending through said housing and said diaphragm and having a screw threaded connection with said spacer, a tension spring carried by said fastener intermediate said head and said housing normally urging said diaphragm and said contact bridging member away from said contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,555 Von Hilvety Sept. 28, 1937 2,155,670 MacBeth Apr. 25, 1939 2,386,340 Olson Oct. 9, 1945 2,763,285 Reeves Sept. 18, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 466,164 Great Britain May 18, 1937 800,897 France May 11, 1936 963,903 France Jan. 18, 1950 

